The Twins are in fifth place, but just four games behind the Tigers. The division has returned to mediocrity and with the Twins at the bottom, it's a lot more fun.
The Astros had a poor April, winning just nine of the 28 games. May was much kinder as they won 15 of 29 and so far in June they have won two out of four. The Astros being the doormat of the AL, especially to at-best mediocre teams like the Twins, appears to have ended.
Nuno has a 5.49 ERA and a 4.76 FIP. He has a (slightly) below average strikeout rate and a (slightly) below average walk rate. He would fit well on the Twins starting staff. Instead, the Yankees have him. He's left-handed and was drafted in the 48th round in 2009, so I'm expecting a shutout.
Lincecum isn't the pitcher he once was. He's still getting strikeouts but now the hits are falling in and the walks are up. His FIP is decidely better than his ERA, the same as last year. Cain must not have shared his FIP-beating ways with him.
Last week the Twins were in fourth, almost fifth, place. This week they are in third, almost second or fourth, place within the division. The Tigers remain as far ahead of the Twins at last week. I am okay with that and if it remains true for the rest of the season, I will be more than okay.
Chris Young has a 2.63 ERA but a 4.80 FIP. The Mariners have a good defense, but not that good. Time for the Twins to initiate some regression to the mean.
The Twins are tied for fourth place, a half game behind the third place Royals. The Tigers have increased their division lead. I suspect it will be insurmountable when the Twins leave town. Insurmountable for the other three teams of course. It was impossible starting in mid-2011 for the Twins.